HB 3081: undermines hard-earned payday lending regulations in 42 Texas communities
Jennifer Allmon The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops opposes HB 3081. HB 3081 seeks to prohibit local cities from establishing payday and auto-title lending regulations. On its surface, this bill violates the Catholic principal of subsidiarity, which notes that governmental decisions are best made by those closest to those impacted by the decisions – which…
Read MoreHB 1155: Disrespectful of the human body
Jennifer Carr Allmon The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops opposes HB 1155. We oppose this bill because it allows for the cremation of human remains using alkaline hydrolysis. The dehydration of human remains in a vat of chemicals is disrespectful of the human body and does not allow for burial of the body. Treating the dead…
Read MorePresident of U.S. Bishops Conference responds to explosions at two Coptic Churches
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued a statement in response to explosions on Palm Sunday at two Coptic Christian churches in Egypt that have killed at least 40 and injured at least 100. MORE
Read MoreCardinal DiNardo: US bishops renew call for peace in Syria through dialogue
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, as president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, joined Bishop Oscar Cantú, chair of the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, in a joint statement calling for renewed peace efforts in Syria. “We once again make our own the earlier call of our Holy Father, Pope Francis: ‘I exhort the…
Read MoreHB 2225: oppose removal of state standards for child migrants
Michael Barba The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is against HB 2225. We oppose this bill because it effectively removes the state’s standards for childcare if the children are migrants. Background. The licensing requirements maintained by DFPS were established in order to ensure the quality of care for children housed in family residential centers (FRCs).[1]…
Read MoreHB 3054: improve the rights of juries serving death penalty cases
Mary Helen Russell I’m testifying in support of HB 3054 on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. The Bishops are meeting today across the street in preparation for their advocacy day tomorrow, which is why the Executive Director, Jennifer Allmon, is unable to be here to deliver this testimony. However, the issue is…
Read MoreHB 3859: ensures broad and diverse network for foster care reform
Jennifer Allmon Executive Director, Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is in support of HB 3859. This bill ensures that Texas will maintain and expand a broad and diverse network of foster care providers. In light of the foster care crisis that Texas has endured, the passage of this bill is…
Read MoreUS bishops denounce rollback of environmental protections
President Donald J. Trump issued an Executive Order on March 28, 2017 that rescinds and weakens numerous environmental protections, and effectively dismantles the Clean Power Plan (CPP). The chair of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development noted the bishops’ opposition to the order. MORE
Read MoreSB 1018: Denies the dignity of families
Michael Barba I am testifying against SB 1018 on behalf of the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops. Background. The licensing requirements maintained by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) were established in order to ensure the quality of care for children housed in family residential centers. DFPS first established an emergency version…
Read MoreHB 1799: Good cooperation to keep children safe in public and private schools
Lisette Allen The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops support of HB 1799. In our own operation of schools, we have established a program called Safe Environment, through which we train all staff how to recognize early signs of potential abuse and prevent it from occurring. We maintain policies governing adult-student interactions, including on social media.…
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